Strictly Come Dancing star Brendan Cole is "excited" about becoming a father, but hopes his baby doesn't come early. The Strictly Come Dancing star announced on Twitter last month that he and wife Zoe, 31, are expecting their first child together.

Brendan told the Daily Mirror: "It's due in January - after Strictly has ended. Well, that's the plan, if it comes before then, who knows, there might be a clash..."

Brendan Cole insists he's happy to work with anyone on 'Strictly Come Dancing'.

The professional dancer - who has previously been paired with Kelly Brook, Fiona Phillips, Lisa Snowdon and Natasha Kaplinsky - says it doesn't bother him who he's partnered with because he loves doing the BBC One show so much.

Strictly Come Dancing's Brendan Cole has announced that he and his wife, Zoe, are set to become first-time parents. The professional dancer teased the news by posting a picture of Zoe while on holiday on his official Twitter page, last night. He added the caption 'Check out my beautiful wife!!! If you think it looks like she might be 'glowing'...? Then you'd be right...she is!'.

Responding to well-wishing tweets, the dancer then confirmed the news, adding 'Thank you very much everyone for your messages. Needles to say we are extremely happy & very excited about having a little Cole on the way x'

Brendan Cole reckons former judge Alesha Dixon will not be missed when Strictly Come Dancing returns to our screens.

And in a thinly-veiled dig at Alesha – who waltzed off the BBC1 ballroom contest for a judging spot on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent – he said ballerina Darcey Bussell was a “fantastic” replacement. He told TV Biz: “I saw Alesha on BGT. She did really well. However, I don’t think she will be a big miss, really.

Brendan Cole - Live and Unjudged will be coming to Brighton Dome Concert Hall on January 18. Join Strictly Come Dancing’s Brendan and his fantastic cast of dancers and musicians for an evening of live music, dazzling performance and all the magic of dance.

Very different to the arena style Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour, his intimate show, bursting with all your Ballroom and Latin favorites, will give you an up close and personal evening with one of Strictly’s most charismatic performers.

Singer Lulu led fellow Strictly stars in an impromptu carol concert after they got stuck at a motorway service station. Drivers gathered to hear the singer and her friends belt out a version of Silent Night.

The celebs, who included Anita Dobson, Rory Bremner, Dan Lobb, Russell Grant and Audley Harrison, were on their way from London to Blackpool for tonight's final of the BBC1 show.

Brendan Cole, the Strictly Come Dancing star, says Princess Eugenie has got the potential of a winner on the dancefloor.

Tess Daly, the Strictly Come Dancing presenter, said recently that the Prince of Wales had disclosed his desire to appear on the programme, whose final is screened on Saturday night. He may, however, have a royal rival.

Strictly producers have had to deal with bust-ups between three warring couples in the run-up to tomorrow night's grand final.

The situation between Lulu and Brendan Cole has been described as "extremely tense" — with the pair not talking to one another following their departure from the show in week six. A source said: "It makes things difficult for everyone."

Brendan Cole will be a Strictly supersub again this weekend — as partner for Anita Dobson.The Kiwi — who recently filled in for Artem Chigvintsev with Holly Valance after the Russian hurt his back — will replace crocked Robin Windsor.

The dancer has pulled out after his foot became infected and he was prescribed antibiotics and told to rest. A source said: "Robin is not exactly at death's door but he has got a dodgy foot so it's only fair that Anita has a fully functioning partner this weekend.

Holly Valance proved she was still belle of the ballroom despite having to swap partners on last night’s Strictly Come ­Dancing. The Aussie star’s crocked ­partner Artem Chigvintsev had to pull out after suffering a serious back ­injury so fellow pro Brendan Cole, who was voted out with Lulu last week, stepped into the breach as Holly’s knight in shining ­armour.

With just four days to ­rehearse, the couple scored an impressive 34 out of 40 for their rumba, ­choreographed by ­a ­dedicated Artem from his chair.

Strictly Come Dancing's Artem Chigvintsev is OUT of this weekend's shows after it was feared he had broken his back. Holly Valance's partner performed the Jive last week while unaware how severe his injury was.

But viewers noticed he struggled to walk up the stairs following the dance. And after seeing spinal specialists he has been ordered to rest. Artem — who won last year's show with girlfriend Kara Tointon — will be replaced by Brendan Cole.

Artem Chigvintsev will definitely not dance on Saturday's Strictly Come Dancing - but Holly Valance will be partnered by Brendan Cole instead.

The Russian fractured a bone in his back during rehearsals on Friday. Artem, who won last year with girlfriend Kara Tointon, danced through the pain to perform an impressive jive with Holly on Saturday's show, which earned a score of 34 from the judges.

Pint-sized Lulu last night slammed producers for a height oversight after being booted off Strictly Come Dancing. The 5ft 1in Shout singer said she was "baffled" as to why bosses paired her with Brendan Cole, who is a foot taller.

She told TV Biz: "It's difficult for a person with long legs to dance ballroom with a person with short legs. Ideally the top of the woman's head should be midway up the man's forehead.

Lulu was voted off Strictly Come Dancing last night– but was thrilled because she no longer has to spend any more time with her dance partner Brendan Cole.

The Glasgow-born singer hated the fact the BBC paired her up with the New Zealand professional dancer for the show. She said: “When I found out he was going to be my partner, I was completely horrified.